This race is just about on our doorstep.  When I say ‘our’ I refer to of course those that reside in the Table View, Blouberg, Sunningdale area.  A mere 30 minutes drive and voila there you are at Tygervalley where the race had been planned to start and finish.  Managed by the Durbanville Athletics Club this race is traditionally held on Human Rights Day which is observed to commemorate the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre where 69 people were killed while protesting apartheid ‘pass laws’.

After collecting my fellow runners along the way, Heidi, Naomi, Paula and Sonz, I took the Contermanskloof Road which eventually runs parallel with Durbanville Wine Farm amongst many others en route Tygervalley.  Parking proved to be a piece of cake and unlike last year we arrived in time to utilize the ablutions then stroll on over to the start line.  Once there I do believe every single man/woman who owned a pair of running shoes showed up.  Sponsored by Discovery Vitality this race was definitely drawing large numbers of participants.

Scheduled to start at 06h45, the gun went off and it was every person for themselves.  I can honestly say with true conviction that for the first km it was a mass of runners trying to get a gap wherever one was with most athletes walking up Bill Bezuidenhoute/Willie van Schoor.  Not exactly my idea of fun, but as with most Discovery runs there are thousands of folk that turn up to run.  And this one would be no different. Tyger Run/Walk had over 3000 entries.

Up and over the hill with a good steady downhill ahead, dodging the cats eyes and road cones one could almost pick up a little speed.  Still the crowd remained with runners darting into a gap if there was one.  A good amount of West Coasters were present and quite easily identifiable in the red, white and blue. 

It was at the 6km mark that I started to feel unwell.  No longer able to run, I pulled over to a grassy pavement where I must give huge thanks to Tracy Gooch and Selvash who both stopped to help me.  Without the aid and assistance from these girls I do believe I would have called it a day.  So after a rest and drink I took off once again and by the time I reached the next water table I was really feeling much better. 

When one reaches the 12km mark the race combines the 15km runners with the 6km walkers.  For me, definitely not an ideal situation.  I was just running for the exercise and time on legs, but for those wanting a personal best I’m afraid that must have gone out of the window.

I know the race is for everyone.  Runners and walkers alike.  BUT. . . . after running for 14kms and keen to get through to the finish, it’s pretty frustrating to maneuver through crowds of walkers.  No amount of ‘excuse me please’ did the trick.  Right towards the end a chap with a loudhailer requested that the walkers stay left to afford the runners to pass on the right.  This too fell on deaf ears.  Crossing the finish line gave me a huge sense of relief.  This was my third Tyger Run/Walk and I probably won’t attempt this one again.

So other than the race being really packed to capacity and totally over crowded, it was a pleasant morning out.  The refreshment tables were good and well laden.  The marshals were cheerful enough and plentiful.

As always I have to add that this is my very own personal opinion meaning no umbrage or disrespect to anyone.  See you on the road – Gill x